Whispering Jack

English

Etymology

Most famously associated with singer Whispering Jack Smith (1898-1950), but in earlier use as a nickname.

Proper noun

Whispering Jack

1. (informal) A person who vocalizes quietly, in a whispering manner, or, ironically, one who is loud and outspoken.
   • 1879 Jan., "A Night with Burglars" in Gleason's Monthly Companion, vol. 8, no. 1, p. 281 (Google preview):

     The two who sat at a table in an obscure corner of the room were the noted burglars "Whispering Jack" and "Jim the Cracksman," as they were nick-named by their associates.

   • 1981 March 8, John S. Wilson, “Barbara Cook—Pop and Polish”, in New York Times, retrieved 27 July 2014:

     [T]he microphone enabled a Whispering Jack Smith to make a rhythmic mumble pass for singing and gave Bing Crosby a means of taking advantage of his casual, intimate style.

   • 2002, J. John Loughran, Developing Reflective Practice, →ISBN, page 136:

     Case 3 Whispering Jack: Jack was a quiet and perceptive young man who was well respected by his peers.

   • 2004, Ray Scott, Street Justice, →ISBN, page 55:

     Under the lone operating streetlight, Whispering Jack comes into full view. . . . In his usual low tone, . . . Jack speaks in the manner that earned him his nickname.

   • 2005 December 28, “John Travis Garrett”, in ancestry.com, retrieved 27 July 2014:

     Some referred to him as "Whispering Jack" for his booming voice while many others called him Pappy.

   • c. 2009, B. J. Sears, “Reddington's Phonelescope”, in Professor Sears' Technological Rarities, retrieved 27 July 2014:

     Whispering Jack Reddington graduated from the Colorado School of Mines in 1899 and began his career as a mining engineer. His real passion however, was the transmission and amplification of sound waves.

See also

• Alibi Ike, Dapper Dan, doubting Thomas, gloomy Gus, good-time Charlie, nervous Nellie, plain Jane, Silent Sam